Omaha daily bee., 1887-06-03
BROTHERS IN THE CHURCH.
Second Day Session of the Lutheran Gen
eral Synod,
ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS.
Eloquent Sermon BY DR.. Rhodes
Report on Foreign Mission
Last Nights Interesting
Services.
The Lutheran Synod.

D., senior professor in the theological
seminary at Gettysburg, Pa.
After the roll call and the reading of
the minutes, the synod proceeded to the
election of officers. Prof. f. S. Breden-
baugh. Mr.. q. w. Lesenring and Mr.. j.
A. Splelman were appointed as tellers
and the ballot was taken according to
the custom of this synod, without NOM
nations. Before the committee was
ready to report, the hour for the delivery
of the presidents sermon arrived and the
business was suspended for this purpose.
The liturgical service was conducted
by Rev. II. l.. Baughes, ID. d., of Gettys-
burg Pa, a former pastor of the Lu-
thcran church in this city. In this he
was assisted by Rev, L. e. Bellheimer, ID.
d., of Reading, Pa.
DR.. Rhodes then preached an eloquent
sermon of which the following is an
outline:
DIR. RHODES SERMON.
Tie doctor preached upon the subject of
the Holy Spirit the source OF the church's
power. taking the following text: Zachariah
my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts"
One of the most suggestive of the prophe-
cies, as they pertain to the kingdom of our
Lord. is that of Iachariah. 1t consists OF a
ScIltS VI NlolOHS. uUdpleu W Tue aHSlOUS
mind of the prophet, and to the disconsolate
temper of the people. The truth is now
brought to their notice with new emphasis,
and after their symbolic method, which was
In the present chapter we have the vision of
the candlestick. Associated with the wOr-
ship of both the tabernacle and the temple
we can easily see how it would at once stir
in the prophet and in the people hallowed
memories, and impart to both new energy
and hone,
Without attemptingto give any interpreta-
tion of this vision in detail, we notice that
it was meant at once to rebuke and encour
age; to assure them that as Joshua had been
renStated as the religious head of the nation,
SO was Ierubbabel their divfnely recognized
civil leader and that Notwithstanding his
heSitancy and weakness; the temple should
of God, not of man, therefore the work was
not TO fail because Zerubbabel did not prove
to be very worthy successor of David.
The prophet is reminded that the sure, ever
adequate, and supreme source of the church's
power is not in the human instrument, but
in the Holy Spirit that divine personal
personal presence who works in men, over
coming all hindrance, and so gloritying
human weakness that it becomes the sublime
mastery of power.
The lesson for us, in this instructive vision
is NOT difficult to ind. There is:a singular
fitness in my text, not only on account of
the event to which we have come, but, AS
well, in view of the time in which we are
living, and of much that seems dominant in
the church. The whole church, not except
ing the ministry, has become more or less in
fected with the dominant material spirit of
the time. There is need that the thought and
faith of the church be lifted up from the ma
terial to the supreme source of power.
Let us notice first those forces which op-
pose from without. The present time is
ence. The attack IS as often subtle and
noiseless as 1t is loud and open. 1t comes
from high places as we'll as from low, and
carries with 1t the dignity of culture and So
cial rank.
In such dense atmosphere of unbeief. so
tolerant so agreeable to the flesh, the tend
ency to infection Is strOng,and we have need
to take heed, for often when 1t does not affect
life.
Should not the church ask why is this pos
sible? Hold up the great promises of God,
ana doas and
enough in visible might and power, but
sadly weakin the supreme source OF strength.
Her resources OF strength are infinite, but
she does not rise up to grd herself with
taken in the snare and deceived by the glare
mark the age.
In addition to the opposition of which |
have spoken, there comes to us from the
same quarter, at once responsibility and an
opportunity, which as yet the church has
hardly commenced to master. 1t Is the quss-
ton OF the mn.itpdes. TO say that we have
fathers and our faith. is narrow If not
wicked. The attitude of the mutitudes IS
not so much one OF hostility as of inditfer-
ence
Our orders and forms to which so much
time and effort have been given, appeal to
the outward sense Of men, IL they ever get
in sight of them; but our faith ana self-de-
NAL, our practical; sympathy and holiness,
In n m az M fhnx
ever come In sight of our forms or not. 1t is
not something external, but Christ In us that
will arrest the notice and break the heart of
the millions unto contrition before the cross.
1t can never be done by the might and power
of mere machinery. For the good word
word conservation. Whether we be minis
ters or members of the church this excel
presence, and the Illustration of His power.
But alas it Is not so much the opposite on
from without as the hindrances within that
retard the progress OF our Zion. We need
Holy Spirit to strike the film from our eyes,
to ascend the high hills where the air is clear
scendiny light. We. need it that we
afsT afsr the s ssn ii ffPr Could '%S Would sead ssi
every minister In. the general synod to his
closet to plead for the Holy Spirit, that the
WdSttu ldlupS Ou tuT MhtCll-tUWtTS ulkut De
suddenly replenlshed, aud that Zion might
arise and shine.
1t is with diffdence and grief come to
speak of the second and greatest hindrance
within our church. / refer to our divisions
The painful fact we must face, and rs it Is
without the least warrant in holy scripture,
end Is productive of untold evil we are
sOlemnly bound to labor and pray for its re-
moval. If, as the apostle says, we are made
aspectacle to the angels, what a spectacle we
must be in our unseemly separation and an
tagOnsm. Alas that hands that should
be clasped In christian love, and in united
endeavOr for the honor of God, should rather
be employed In weaving a crown of thOrns
about the brow OF Christ. Blessed be God
good men everywhere are growing weary Of
the separation, and selfish isolation of those
who claim to represent the body of Christ
There are growing signs of unity amongst
us. II must be 50 ii the blessed spirit be with
us, for He is spirit of unity. We should hail
with Joy every sign Of the church's greater
oneness, the more when it breaks upon the
confusion and distraction of our beloved
Lutheran Zion.
Finally II the supreme remedy and source
of strength are In the Holy Spirit, and not
in any might and power of ours, we may
well lnger moment to speak OF the method
of securing its presence. Until we know
how to pray, until it is a dear delight to us.
we shall not know the spirit, nor be endowed
with his power. Ii the church was mightier
in prayer, II her uplifted voice was for a